Detroit Harbor, Washington Island -
Rich Ellefson sent me another report last evening, along with photos he'd taken late in the day.
While this posting is being put together (7:30 a.m.) it is likely the flooding, or sinking, of the floating dry dock is underway. Flooding of the dock floor will be done in measured steps to ensure no leaks are within the vessel, i.e., valves left open, connections not tight, and so forth. When the water level on the hull reaches approximately a three-foot depth, each below decks space will be entered and carefully examined to determine if bilges remain dry.
The Coast Guard approved the rudder and propeller installations, and so the vessel can be floated. Normally a major step in vessel construction, often combined with a christening ceremony, breaking of a bottle on the bow and so on, today's "launch" becomes anticlimactic in comparison to the amazing progress shown toward finishing this vessel, preparing it for underway sea trials. Much work is yet to be done, and the quickened pace continues.
Here is Rich's report (and I've just received his note that the walk-thru of spaces is now complete):
Well it looks like we hit the necessary milestones for our launch tomorrow. Both ramps are on and chained in the vertical position. The strong backs you see on the back side of the ramps are being removed tonight and the welds will get ground flat. The stripes on each side are done and the second shift painters are touching up the black on the sides as well as around the stern where the anodes were attached.
USCG was out here today three different times for final inspections on rudders, engine room entryway weld inspection and then to oversee the tonnage measurements. The final measurements came in very close to spec., we were a quarter inch short on overall length and a quarter inch long on overall height which is measured keel to car deck at midship. The beam measurement came in exactly 40 ft. as per the spec. These measurements needed to be verified for getting our Tonnage Certificate. The prop nut straps are welded to the end of the shaft, similar to our other vessels.
Billy Lemieux wanted to also bolt the sides of the strap to prop nuts, preventing any chance of the straps being able to spread. Lots of activity in the engine room, steering void and the forepeak with all the piping and electrical work going on.
The pilothouse is set in location and just needs to slide 1 inch aft, which will take place in the days to come. The insulators are insulating the engine room entryway tonight, so the electrician's can start pulling wires up to the upper levels. The engine room still has a long way to go with all the piping that remains as well as hydraulic tank foundations.
Our schedule for tomorrow is to be onboard at 0700 for a final walkthrough of all voids and engine room, followed by a walkthrough of drydock to make sure everything is secured and all painting below water level that was disturbed is touched up. They will start flooding at 0800 and stop flooding when we have three feet of water on the hull. At that point there will be another walkthrough to make sure everything still looks good internally. After that walkthrough they will continue to flood until we float free. Selvick is scheduled to arrive at 0900 for towing us to berth 9 where we will remain until sea trials in late May.
Steve has asked Mark (Mark Pudlo, naval architect) to be here at 10:00 or at least available once we are dockside for the initial freeboard readings. That is the plan they have as of now and hopefully everything goes well... (above text and all photos by Rich Ellefson)
The engine rooms and wiring remain as a major task. With insulation installed in companion ways, wiring runs can be completed. Faith Electric of Green Bay is the subcontractor hired by Bay Shipbuilding. - Dick Purinton
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